Changes in mental ability of people with visual disabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Emotional intelligence, as a mental ability, consists of attention, clarity, and repair abilities, contributing to emotion management. Emotional intelligence is subject to changes induced by external environmental factors. However, little is known about changes in emotional intelligence among people with visual disabilities. This study aims to advance knowledge of the degree to which people with visual disabilities change emotional intelligence between “before” and “amid” the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 81 participants with visual disabilities completed a Trait Meta-Mood Scale to assess emotional intelligence in Fall 2019 ( n = 20), Summer 2020 ( n = 31), and Fall 2020 ( n = 30). While the attention and clarity abilities did not significantly change in Summer 2020, the repair ability significantly increased in Summer 2020. However, all three abilities significantly decreased in Fall 2020. People with visual disabilities were able to manage their negative emotions just a few months after the pandemic was declared. Yet, 1 year after the pandemic was declared, their emotional intelligence was significantly weakened. As a long-term effect, emotional challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic might have become strong enough to lead to decreased emotional intelligence abilities.